A/N: Hello hello! I know today's chapter was SUPER short, so I'm throwing this in for my lovely reviewers! And the readers...well they are pretty much the same ne?
Takano decided that Saga could be just as frustrating as his master sometimes. And that he was very useful to have around.
Whenever he was over he found he could easily pick up the younger male's mood just by how the mutt was acting that day. If Ritsu was upset, Saga followed him around at his heels, barely sparing Takano a greeting of some kind. If the brunet was angry, Saga would give no indication he knew Takano was there, and would growl at any attempt for said male to pet him. If Ritsu was...out of sorts, then Saga never seemed to know if Takano should be followed about, or Ritsu. But if Ritsu was in a good mood, Saga was very affectionate and trailed after Takano, much to the brunet's annoyance.
"I don't know why it bothers you so much." he commented once-having used his new key to come in for a visit-as he rubbed the dog's stomach, "If I recall correctly you used to follow after me as well." he teased lightly, already prepared for the younger male's barrage of denials, but too content to care.
So he was surprised when Ritsu muttered, "That was a long time ago." as he not so discretely tapped his thigh to get Saga's attention.
"Not that long ago." he said after a moment, shifting slightly now that Saga had vacated his lap and was currently in Ritsu's, "You know he's really a bit too big to be acting like a lapdog." he added as an after statement, giving the brunet a chance to bail out of the conversation should he so choose.
But surprising him once again Ritsu replied with, "Ten years is a long time."
Pausing, carefully weighing his words, Takano moved closer to the younger male and his pet, "Long enough to start over?"
Shrugging, the younger male tugged at Saga's collar, a new nervous habit of his that Takano hadn't failed to notice, "Can we talk about something else?" he finally answered softly.
Nodding, Takano leaned back against the sofa, arm casually draping over the brunet's shoulders. "So," he started, immensely pleased when the other didn't move away or shrug off his arm, "...What now?"
But before Ritsu could answer Saga was tugging at his sleeve, growling, an entirely new thing for Takano to see.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked curiously, tugging at the shepherd's ears like Ritsu was so fond of doing.
Sighing the brunet muttered, "He wants me to go to bed..."
Blinking, the dark haired male laughed, "Oh really now?" he said after a moment, mentally giving Saga more points for taking care of Ritsu so well.
"Yes. Stop it!" he hissed, pushing the dog to the floor even though he adamantly held on to Ritsu's shirt, "I'm not even tired!" he lied, fighting back a yawn.
Pausing, he shook his head. What had gotten in to him? Usually he'd be protesting that he needed to rest every few minutes just to get Takano to leave. And yet here he was now trying to stay up so he could keep the older male company.
Things certainly had...changed...
A/N: See? Progress! And while it may seem sudden-keep in mind throughout the fic they've been getting together and getting along a bit, so I feel this is natural ^^
Review? :D (if you do I'll upload the next part faster, for that's where the two have another falling out...or the start of one :P )
OH-and as for Saga's behavior based on Ritsu's mood-think of it like this: When Ritsu is happy it's okay to leave him(Ritsu) alone and be with Takano, because Takano also makes Ritsu happy. But when the brunet is upset, Saga feels heRitsu) needs more attention, and Takano also can be the one to piss off the brunet to begin with. And when Ritsu is out of sorts Saga doesn't know what to do. Make sense?